COMMConnection

September 2025

COMMConnection September 2025

Links and Information

 

Welcome
Welcome to Fall 2025 #MasonCOMM!
The Department of Communication wishes all students, faculty, and staff a successful and enriching semester! đź’«
Congratulations to the 2025 spring and summer graduates and new George Mason University Communication alumni! 🎓🎉
Scroll down to see what the Department of Communication has been up to this past spring and summer semesters, and new exciting events we have coming up this fall. ⬇

 

GMU Communication Graduating Student Experience & Alumni Society Survey

GMU Communication Graduating Student Experience & Alumni Society Survey

As you celebrate this momentous occasion with your loved ones, take a moment to reflect on all that you have accomplished and all that lies ahead.  Once again, congratulations on your upcoming graduation, and remember – once a Patriot, always a Patriot.

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New Undergraduate Communication Concentrations and Major Map

New Undergraduate Communication Concentrations and Major Map

Starting the Fall 2025 semester, the Department of Communication's concentrations have been updated for the incoming class of 2026 to declare!

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We're Hiring: Undergraduate Student Academic Advisor

We're Hiring: Undergraduate Student Academic Advisor

The Department of Communication is currently seeking an Undergraduate Student Advisor!

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Department News
See what the Department of Communication has been up to this past spring and summer 2025 semesters⬇
Department of Communication Faculty Retirements

Department of Communication Faculty Retirements

Congratulations to Dr. Ed Maibach, Dr. Gary Kreps, and Dr. S. Robert Lichter, for their service to George Mason University and the Department of Communication.

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2025 GMU Communication Undergraduate Award Ceremony

2025 GMU Communication Undergraduate Award Ceremony

Congratulations to all of our GMU Communication student nominee's for the 2024-2025 school year!

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COMM Graduate Awards Celebration

COMM Graduate Awards Celebration

The Department of Communication was honored to celebrate the graduate students who were recognized for the amazing work they are doing in the Mason Community and in the world.

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GMU Journalism Concentration Promotional Video

GMU Journalism Concentration Promotional Video

Directed & Edited by Aidan Demolli Producers: David Miller, Brenna Maloney Cast in order of Appearance: Brenna Maloney, Madison Rudolf, Brandon Parker, Marcella Robertson, Viviana Smith, Jalen Stubbs, Kimberly Meltzer, Eugene Mulero, Brandyn Fragosa, Rawan Elbaba Equipment: Sony A7IV, DJI Mic 2, Amaran Lightning Equipment

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The Art of the Smear: CARP’s Global 3-Day Summit Tackles Attacks on Reputation and Gender

The Art of the Smear: CARP’s Global 3-Day Summit Tackles Attacks on Reputation and Gender

Character assassination is nothing new in politics. From ancient Rome to the modern-day social media flame wars, public figures—especially women—have faced attacks designed to undermine their credibility, question their authority, and weaponize gender norms against them. This year, George Mason University’s Lab for Character Assassination and Reputation Politics (CARP) is tackling the intersection of gender, power, and politics in its fifth international conference, set to take place March 20-22, 2025, at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia.

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Mocktails & Mingling Brings Students Together to Practice Professional Communication

Mocktails & Mingling Brings Students Together to Practice Professional Communication

“This was my first experience with Mocktails and Mingling and I had a lot of fun.”  Rue Quick, a senior and Communication Center consultant, reflected on their experience. “I met a lot of people today from different backgrounds and walks of life. It’s nice, since it can be easy to get stuck in your social circles at a big school like George Mason.” 

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GMU Forensics Team competes at National Forensics Association National Speech and Debate Tournament

GMU Forensics Team competes at National Forensics Association National Speech and Debate Tournament

During the weekend of April 18th – 21st, the George Mason University Forensics Team traveled to Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, to compete at the National Forensics Association National Speech and Debate Tournament. Mason is the National Champion in the President’s One division and 4th overall. Congratulations to the team!

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GMU Forensics Team places 3rd at AFA tournament

GMU Forensics Team places 3rd at AFA tournament

During the weekend of April 5th-7th, The George Mason University Forensics Team traveled to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to compete at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament. Mason placed 3rd out of almost sixty schools. Congratulations to the GMU Forensics Team!

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Dr. Elia Powers visits Dr. Kim Meltzers COMM 203 class

Dr. Elia Powers visits Dr. Kim Meltzers COMM 203 class

Dr. Powers, Associate Professor at Towson University, discussed his new book “Performing the News: Identity, Authority, and Myth of Neutrality” with Dr. Meltzers COMM 203 class.

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Student Media Opportunities 2025

Student Media Opportunities 2025

 Student Media's mission is empowering students to exercise their First Amendment rights and creativity through the creation of works that inform, enrich, and entertain the Mason community. Writer, editor, videographer, anchor, DJ, designer, peer reviewer, director, and producer are just a few of the roles students can explore when they get involved.

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Student News
See what Communication alumni and current students have been up to this past spring and summer 2025 semesters⬇
George Mason’s Media Production Awards Spotlight Student Creativity

George Mason’s Media Production Awards Spotlight Student Creativity

This celebration showcased students' remarkable projects and artistic achievements in media production courses during the 2024-2025 academic year, highlighting their hard work and creativity in an engaging atmosphere. 

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From Editing Enthusiast to Award-Winning Filmmaker: A Journey of Growth and Passion

From Editing Enthusiast to Award-Winning Filmmaker: A Journey of Growth and Passion

Xavi Jimenez's experience at George Mason University was crucial in shaping his skills and career goals. The university's demanding programs in Media Production, offered by the Department of Communication and Film and Video Studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, really pushed him out of his comfort zone.

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Mason communication PhD student inducted in FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame

Mason communication PhD student inducted in FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame

On September 17, George Mason University Communication PhD student Philip Wilkerson will be inducted into the Fairfax County Public Schools Alumni Hall of Fame, presented by Educate Fairfax, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community.

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George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

George Mason University alumnus Bridget O'Donnell, BA Communication '16, serves as team's senior manager for premium client services.

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George Mason student finds his voice through dream internship 

George Mason student finds his voice through dream internship 

For George Mason University sophomore Nathan Ferraro, summer hasn’t been about taking a break—it’s been about chasing his dream job. The Honors College student and communication major, who’s concentrating in both journalism and political communication, spent his summer interning as a staff writer with Trib Total Media, a multimedia news network in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he wrote two to three stories a week.

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These George Mason alumni were driven to succeed with a premier NASCAR race team

These George Mason alumni were driven to succeed with a premier NASCAR race team

Alumni Dave Alpern and Chris Helein, BA Speech Communication '91, featured in new Netflix series for their work with Joe Gibbs Racing.

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George Mason alumna makes a career of bringing talent into the spotlight

George Mason alumna makes a career of bringing talent into the spotlight

"From her small hometown of Ruther Glen, Virginia, to the bright lights of New York City, Gilda Squire, BA Communication ’95, has forged a career that defies convention. It is a journey that has led Squire from the federal government through Wall Street, into book publishing, and finally landing as a powerhouse publicist and talent manager for some of entertainment’s brightest stars, including Angela Bassett, Bebe Neuwirth, and ballet icon Misty Copeland."

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Faculty News
See what Communication faculty have been up to this past spring and summer 2025 semesters⬇

Communication Faculty Retiree's

Congratulations to Dr. Ed Maibach, Dr. Gary Kreps, and Dr. S. Robert Lichter, for their service to the University.

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CHSS faculty leadership transitions

Congratulations to John Kotcher, Xiaomei Cai, Melissa Broeckelman-Post, and Andrew Rudd on their faculty leadership transitions.

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CHSS faculty honored with Teaching Excellence Awards

CHSS faculty honored with Teaching Excellence Awards

Department of Communication Adjunct Faculty member for PR, Dana Siller, was honored with the Adjunct Teaching Excellence award.

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Communication Faculty Spotlight: Barbara Burfeind

Communication Faculty Spotlight: Barbara Burfeind

Barbara Burfeind has been nominated & accepted as a recipient of the Adjunct Faculty Service Award

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Ed Maibach listed as one of the Nations top 100 scientists in Research.com ranking

Ed Maibach listed as one of the Nations top 100 scientists in Research.com ranking

Congratulations to Dr. Ed Maibach, who ranked 201 in the world ranking and 99 in United States . He has also been recognized with the Research.com Social Sciences and Humanities Leader Award for 2025.

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Communication Faculty Spotlight: Dana Siller

Communication Faculty Spotlight: Dana Siller

Dana Siller awarded the GMU Adjunct Teaching Award for 2025!

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Faculty spotlight: Eugene Mulero

Faculty spotlight: Eugene Mulero

Eugene Mulero is a Journalism Adjunct Professor in the Department of Communication. Mulero has covered news and politics for several publications and is currently the chief Washington correspondent at Transport Topics where he covers Congress and national politics.

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Best Selling Author Jason Reynolds visits Journalism Class

Best Selling Author Jason Reynolds visits Journalism Class

Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Best Sellin Author, was invited to be a guest lecture at Professor Maloney's COMM 369 class

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Upcoming Events
Upcoming department events for the fall 2025 semester 📆

Communication Student Welcome Back

Clock Icon for Wednesday, September 10, 2025  1:00 PM EDTWednesday, September 10, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Map Icon for Horizon Hall, 5200 KitchenHorizon Hall, 5200 Kitchen

Welcome back to campus and to the Fall 2024 semester! The Department of Communication invites all COMM students, faculty, staff, and anyone interested in Communication to our welcome back event! Join us for snacks and mingle with fellow COMM students and faculty!

Details

2025 Communication Career Forum

Hosted by Mason COMM and the Insight Committee: all event information and registration can be found here!

Clock Icon for Tuesday, October 21, 2025  8:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDTTuesday, October 21, 2025 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT

Map Icon for Johnson Center, Lettered Meeting Rooms (third floor)Johnson Center, Lettered Meeting Rooms (third floor)

The 2025 Communication Career Forum will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in the Johnson Center lettered meeting rooms. Network with career professionals in the communication field! Register here to secure a spot for the mentoring and resume workshop sessions. Open to all Mason students and alumni.

Details